Joint Loading in Powerlifting Squats: New Study Provides Key Insights for Training and Injury Prevention

Alexander Pürzel, a PhD student supervised by Dr Hans Kainz, has published his latest research with colleagues in PLOS ONE. The study examined joint contact forces during squats in elite powerlifters.

Twenty-nine of Austria’s top-ranked powerlifters performed squats at 70-90% of their one-repetition maximum. The researchers used 3D motion capture, force plates and musculoskeletal modelling to calculate the loads acting on the hip, knee and ankle joints. The results revealed that the deepest squat positions produced the highest forces, with peak values reaching up to 26.7 times body weight in the patellofemoral joint.

Interestingly, the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints remained under a consistently high load throughout much of the movement, whereas the hip and ankle joints mainly peaked in the deepest phase. Furthermore, joint contact forces were generally higher during the upward phase than during the downward phase.

These findings highlight the extreme loads that powerlifters endure and provide important practical guidance: effective load management and thoughtful periodisation are essential to maximise performance while protecting long-term joint health. This study emphasises the importance of biomechanical research in supporting athletes and reducing injury risk.

Sincere gratitude to the co-authors for their invaluable assistance.

Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0327973